752 FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



In the foetus, the uterus is contained in the abdominal cavity, projecting beyond the brim of the 

 pelvis. The cervix is considerably larger than the body. 



At puberty, the uterus is pyritbrm in shape, and weighs from eight to ten drachms. It has 

 descended into the pelvis, the fundus being just below the level of the brim of this cavity. The 

 arbor vitse is distinct, and extends to the upper part of the cavity of the organ. 



During and after menstruation, the organ is enlarged, and more vascular, its surfaces rounder; 

 the os externum is rounded, its labia swollen, and the lining membrane of the body thickened, 

 softer, and of a darker color. 



During pregnancy, the uterus increases in weight from one pound and a half to three pounds. 

 It becomes enormously enlarged, and projects into the hypogastric and lower part of the umbili- 

 cal regions. This enlargement, which continues up to the sixth month of gestation, is partially 

 due to increased development of pre-existing and new-formed muscular tissue. The round liga- 

 ments are enlarged, and the broad ligaments become encroached upon by the uterus making its 

 way between their laminae. The mucous membrane becomes more vascular, its mucous follicles 

 and glands enlarged ; the rugae and folds in the canal of the cervix become obliterated ; the 

 bloodvessels and lymphatics as well as the nerves, according to the researches of Dr. Lee, 

 become greatly enlarged. 



After parturition, the uterus nearly regains its usual size, weighing from two to three ounces, 

 but its cavity is larger than in the virgin state ; the external orifice is more marked, and assumes 

 a transverse direction ; its edges present a fissured surface ; its vessels are tortuous ; and its 

 muscular layers are more defined. 



In old age, the uterus becomes atrophied, and paler and denser in texture ; a more distinct 

 constriction separates the body and cervix. The ostium internum, and, occasionally, the vaginal 

 orifice, often become obliterated, and its labia almost entirely disappear. 



APPENDAGES OF THE UTERUS. 



The appendages of the uterus are the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries and their 

 ligaments, and the round ligaments. These structures, together with their nutrient 

 vessels and nerves, and some scattered muscular fibres, are inclosed between the 

 two folds of peritoneum, which constitute the broad ligaments ; they are placed in 

 the following order : in front is the round ligament ; the Fallopian tube occupies 

 the free margin of the broad ligament ; the ovary and its ligament are behind 

 and below the latter. 



The Fallopian Tubes or oviducts convey the ova from the ovaries to the 

 cavity of the uterus. They are two in number, one on each side, situated in the 

 free margin of the broad ligament, extending from, each superior angle of the 

 uterus to the sides of the pelvis. Each tube is about four inches in length ; its 

 canal is exceedingly minute, and commences at the superior angle of the uterus 

 by a minute orifice, the ostium internum, which will hardly admit a fine bristle ; 

 it continues narrow along the inner half of the tube ; it then gradually widens 

 into a trumpet-shaped extremity, which becomes contracted at its termination. 

 This orifice is called the ostium ahdominale, and communicates with the peritoneal 

 cavity. Its margins are surrounded by a series of fringe-like processes, termed 

 fimbrise, and one of these processes is connected with the outer end of the ovary. 

 To this part of the tube the name fimbriated extremity is applied ; it is also called 

 morsus diaboli, from the peculiar manner in which it embraces the surface of the 

 ovary during sexual excitement. 



Structure. The Fallopian tube consists of three coats, serous, muscular, and 

 mucous. 



The external or serous coat is derived from the peritoneum. 



The 'middle or muscular coat consists of an external longitudinal and an internal 

 or circular layer of muscular fibres continuous with those of the uterus. 



The internal or mucous coat is continuous with the mucous lining of the uterus, 

 and at the free extremity of the tube with the peritoneum. It is thrown into 

 longitudinal folds in the outer part of the tube, which indicate its adaptation for 

 dilatation, and is covered by columnar-ciliated epithelium. This form of epithe- 

 lium is also found on the inner and outer surfaces of the fimbriae. 



The Ovaries (testes muliebres, Galen) are analogous to the testes in the male. 

 They are oval-shaped bodies, of an elongated form, flattened from above downwards, 

 situated one on each side of the uterus in the posterior part of the broad ligament, 



